New Delhi: The India International Centre in New Delhi came alive on October 4 and 5 as SAMBHAV 2025, hosted by the Association for Learning Performing Arts & Normative Action (ALPANA), brought together artists with disabilities (Divyangjan) from India and across the world, celebrating ALPANA’s dedication to empowerment through performing and visual arts, and marking its 20th year as a milestone of creativity, inclusion, and human spirit.
The two-day celebration opened with warm words of encouragement from dignitaries and supporters extolling SAMBHAV’s enduring role in promoting inclusion through art and culture. Their words echoed ALPANA’s mission to create spaces where ability takes center stage and art becomes a universal language of equality.
The inaugural day’s morning session began with the auspicious lighting the lamp ceremony by Chief Guest Rajesh Verma, IAS (Retd.), Chairman, Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Government of India, and Guest of Honour Devdas Apte ji (Bapu ji). A heartfelt welcome song by students of ALPANA set a tone of warmth, hope, and collective purpose.
Thereafter, noted painter Mrs. Anupama Trigunayat inaugurated the Art and Craft Exhibition, showcasing stunning paintings and handcrafted works created by Divyang artists — a true testament to creativity beyond constraints. The day also featured a Music Therapy Workshop by Ms. Suzanne Louise Whiteman from Australia and a Handicraft and Painting Workshop by Mrs. Alka Agrawal, Head of Creative Arts Faculty, ALPANA.
The evening celebrations witnessed a vibrant display of international camaraderie. The session was inaugurated by Chief Guest Shri Vivek Agrawal, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and Presiding Guest Mrs. Ravneet Kaur, IAS (Retd.), Chairperson, Competition Commission of India. Distinguished Guests included H.E. Mahishini Colonne, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India; Dr. K. Rangarajan, Director, IIFT, Kolkata; Dr. Tanmoy Bhattacharya, Heritage Expert; and Shri Niseeth Mehta, CEO, Microsign – Centre for Excellence.
The audiences were treated with cultural performances by groups from Australia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nagaland, Odisha, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. Each presentation reflected the essence of “SAMBHAV”—meaning “possible”—through stories of resilience, identity, and joy. The release of the event souvenir added a moment of pride, followed by reflections from dignitaries and a vote of thanks by Shri B.C. Nayak, Mentor of ALPANA.
The second and concluding day began on a serene note with a Yoga Therapy Workshop conducted by Ms. Heetal, Senior Yoga Therapist from S-VYASA University, Delhi Centre, followed by a Seminar on Yoga chaired by Prof. Dr. Rabindra Acharya from S-VYASA University, Bengaluru, where Dr. Reela Hota, Odissi Exponent, Researcher and Author, presented an insightful paper on the intersection of yoga, movement, and inner harmony.
The highlight of the day was an International Seminar on “Artists with Disabilities for an Inclusive Society,” chaired by Shri Sanjeev Chanana, brought together speakers from Australia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Nepal, Russia, and India. The speakers shared their global perspectives on accessibility and the transformative role of art.
Later, the participants had an experience of exploration of expression through movement in a Dance Therapy Workshop conducted by the Mother Charitable Foundation, Sri Lanka, blending traditional Sri Lankan rhythms with therapeutic dance techniques, emphasizing emotional release, joy, and inclusivity.
The grand finale on the concluding evening featured inspiring performances by groups from India, Nepal, Russia, Tajikistan, and others, celebrating unity in diversity through rhythm and movement. The distinguished guests present were I.C.P. Keshari, IAS (Retd.), Director General, Association of Power Producers; Amb. Sanjay Verma, IFS (Retd.), Former Ambassador of India to Japan and Canada; Subrata Das, Former Secretary Rank, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India; and Smt. Anju Ranjan, IFS, Joint Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
As the curtains came down, Guru Smt. Alpana Nayak, founder of ALPANA, delivered a heartfelt vote of thanks, acknowledging the dedication of artists, volunteers, and partners who have shaped SAMBHAV’s remarkable two-decade journey.
Since its inception in 2006, SAMBHAV has evolved into a global platform that celebrates ability, nurtures inclusion, and redefines what is possible. In its 20th edition, SAMBHAV once again reaffirmed that when art leads the way, inclusion doesn’t just happen; it becomes beautifully inevitable.
